Cleaning Article

ABSTRACT

A microfiber cloth cut and shaped to match the area of the back end section of a necktie (specifically covering the necktie&#39;s “tipping”) that may include multiple layers, attached temporarily to the necktie by a magnet or other mechanism, enabling use of the invention on a necktie without risk of permanent damage or alteration to the necktie. The invention provides the wearer with immediate access to a method of cleaning the surface of any item whose surface is susceptible to accumulating dust, oil or grease.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is in the field of clothing, specifically neckwear and accessories for neckwear.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the current methods available for wearers of neckties to utilize their necktie to carry a microfiber cloth for cleaning the surface of any item susceptible to accumulating dust, oil or grease such as the screens of electronic devices, the lenses of eyewear, the lenses of cameras, and the crystals of watches.

The following terms regarding the elements of a conventional necktie are explained for a better understanding of the present disclosure. As commonly worn, a necktie has an outward facing side and an inward facing side. The fabric appearing on the outward facing side of a necktie is often folded with two panels or “blades” being joined together on the inward facing side. Where the necktie has a pointed end, the inward facing pointed area below the blades is referred to as the “tipping” of the necktie.

Prior art inventions using a necktie to carry microfiber cloth for cleaning surfaces required the microfiber cloth to be either permanently attached to the tie, or affixed using a semi-permanent method such as adhesives or stitching.

The aforementioned examples of prior art devices have the certain limitations which impede their usefulness. For both permanent and semi-permanent methods the method of carrying the microfiber is non-transferrable among the wearer's neckties. Both permanent and semi-permanent methods of attachment require the use of either an adhesive or stitching that would irreversibly alter, and risk potentially damaging the necktie if the prior art device were be to removed at a later time.

The present invention directly addresses and solves the aforementioned issues. By utilizing a pair of magnets or other mechanisms to temporarily attach it to the necktie the invention is transferrable among any of the wearer's neckties such that a wearer only needs to purchase a single invention for any number of neckties. Furthermore, by using magnetic attraction or other mechanisms such as pressure or tension as a means of attachment, the invention is only ever temporarily attached to the wearer's necktie and can be removed without any risk of alteration or damage to the wearer's necktie at the wearer's discretion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, an article of microfiber cloth is cut in the shape of the “tipping,” also known as the bottom of the wider end of a necktie, facing toward the wearer. This article's cut shape also includes a section whose purpose is to create a shape that's capable of being folded upon itself to facilitate a connection to the necktie. While a single layer of microfiber is sufficient for this invention to perform its function, additional layers of microfiber may be included in the design to enable additional function.

The invention is temporarily attached to the inner folded fabric of the necktie (referred herein as the necktie's “blades”) using one of the following temporary mechanisms: preferably, a pair of magnets; a magnet paired with a piece of magnetic metal; a mechanism intended to pinch (but not damage) the fabric of the blade between the opposing sides of the mechanism, such as a snap button; a mechanism that uses spring tension to hold the invention in place, such as an alligator clip; or a mechanism designed to slide on to the fabric and hold by tension, similar to a paper clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention, showing the invention with the attachment engaged.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention incorporating multiple layers.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 5A is a top view of the invention depicting the preferred placement of the invention within a necktie prior to engaging the attachment to the blade of the necktie.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the invention depicting the invention attached to the necktie, with part of the necktie folded up to show the invention.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the invention as in FIG. 5B, with the necktie as it normally appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the invention which is comprised of a sheet of microfiber material 10 having an area 12 cut to cover the “tipping” of the bottom of the inward facing end of a necktie and an extension 13, extending laterally outward from area 12. Extension 13 is designed to fold laterally upon the upper portion of area 12. The range of folding of extension 13 may be extended without additional material by making an extended cut 14 in the microfiber sheet 10.

The preferred mechanism of temporary attachment to the necktie is shown as a pair of fasteners 11A and 11B placed in their preferred locations on the extension 13 and area 12. While a pair of magnets is the preferred fastener for attaching the invention to a necktie, other types of fasteners may be used as disclosed herein.

Alternate types of fasteners include snaps, clips or similar fasteners as are known in the art. In an alternate embodiment, extension 13 may include a hinge that locks into a closed position, combining the function of a fastener with extension 13.

The fasteners may be attached to the invention in a variety of ways including, utilizing a permanent adhesive to attach the fasteners to the microfiber material directly;

utilizing the components of a standard “ring prong” snap button to hold the fasteners in place; or creating folds in the microfiber material that can be sewn or glued in place to create a container for the fasteners.

FIG. 2 depicts extension 13 folded onto area 12 from left to right, allowing fastener 11A to engage fastener 11B.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of the invention provides multiple layers of microfiber material to create a device capable of cleaning multiple surfaces at the same time, such as the front and back of the lens of eyewear. FIG. 3 depicts an additional layer 16 of microfiber fabric that is shown being arranged on top of area 12. Preferably, additional layer 16 is attached to microfiber sheet 10 along a single point or edge, and may be secured to microfiber sheet 10 by fastener 11B. In FIG. 4, a portion of additional layer 16 is shown separated from area 12. While two layers are shown in the drawings, any number of layers may be provided.

Preferably, the wearer would first put on their necktie, as they would normally wear a necktie. Attaching the invention prior to knotting the tie around the wearer's neck is also possible, but the process of knotting the tie would likely lead to the wearer needing to reposition the invention on the necktie. The invention will also work with clip-on neckties.

FIG. 5A is a depiction of the invention in a preferred location on necktie 20. To install the invention on necktie 20, a wearer would lift up the left blade 22 of necktie 20 and place the invention under the right blade 23 of necktie 20. Fastener 11B would be located under right blade 23 of necktie 20. Preferably area 12 covers the tipping area 21 of necktie 20 and does not extend beyond tipping area 21.

In FIG. 5B, extension 13 is shown folded over to sandwich the right blade 23 of necktie 20. Fasteners 11A and 11B secure the invention in place on right blade 23 of necktie 20, with fastener 11B located inside of right blade 23 and fastener 11A located outside of right blade 23. In the preferred embodiment of the invention using magnets as fasteners 11A and 11B, the invention is removably attached to the necktie on right blade 23.

In FIG. 5C left blade 22 of necktie 20 is folded back to its normal position. Extension 13 is shown to be partially exposed on the outside of right blade 23.

The alternate embodiment of the invention with multiple layers of microfiber could be attached in the same manner as depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C.

Once the invention is attached to the wearer's necktie the wearer can easily access the invention and use it to clean the item of their choice. Methods of using the invention to clean items will vary according to the accessibility of the item itself. The manner of how the wearer will use the invention to clean the item of their choosing will vary according to the preference of the wearer.

Eyewear may be held in one hand while the wearer grasps the bottom of the necktie to which the invention is attached with the other hand and the wearer may either wipe the eyewear with one side of the invention or place the lens of the eyewear in between the layers of the invention.

Items such as mobile phone screens and tablets may be held in one hand while the wearer grasps the bottom of the necktie to which the invention is attached with the other hand and the wearer may wipe the surface of the item.

Items such as watches and smart watches may be worn on the wrist and wiped, or removed and wiped similarly to the method used for mobile phones and tablets.

Cameras lenses may also be cleaned with the invention similarly to how a mobile phone screen or tablet would be cleaned.

The microfiber material may be imprinted with a color, pattern or brand identification, or cut or etched by a laser to yield a similar effect, and the invention can be used for marketing or promotional purposes.

While the present disclosure is directed toward neckwear, the invention may be used on many different objects and other articles of clothing. The removable fastener can attach to many items.

While certain novel features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An article for cleaning smooth surfaces comprising: a first microfiber cloth sheet suitable for use in cleaning, the first microfiber cloth sheet being shaped to match a profile of an article of clothing; an extension strip having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to the first microfiber cloth sheet; and a first fastener attached to the proximal end of the extension strip, where the first fastener is configured to removably secure the first microfiber cloth sheet to the article of clothing.
 2. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a second fastener attached to the first microfiber cloth sheet, where the first fastener and the second fastener are configured to engage each other, removably securing the first microfiber cloth sheet to the article of clothing.
 3. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a second microfiber cloth sheet suitable for use in cleaning, the second microfiber cloth sheet being shaped to match the profile of an article of clothing, where the second microfiber cloth sheet is attached to the distal end of the extension strip.
 4. The article of claim 2, where the first and second fasteners are magnets.
 5. The article of claim 1, where the first fastener is a hinge capable of locking into position.
 6. The article of claim 1, further comprising: a second microfiber cloth sheet suitable for use in cleaning, the second microfiber cloth sheet being shaped to match the profile of an article of clothing, where the second microfiber cloth sheet is attached to the first microfiber cloth sheet.
 7. An article for cleaning smooth surfaces comprising: a first microfiber cloth sheet suitable for use in cleaning, the first microfiber cloth sheet being shaped to match a profile of an end of a necktie; an extension strip having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end attached to the first microfiber cloth sheet; and a first fastener attached to the proximal end of the extension strip, where the first fastener is configured to removably secure the first microfiber cloth sheet to a blade of the necktie and at an inward facing side of the necktie.
 8. The article of claim 7 where the first microfiber cloth is hidden from view behind an outward facing side of the necktie.
 9. A method of temporarily attaching an article of microfiber to a necktie that holds the microfiber article securely in place without damaging or altering the necktie. 